Hearing the slight dissatisfaction in the King of England's tone, and looking at the five hundred soldiers waiting for him and his three men over there, Liu Hu could only bite the bullet, although he was still reluctant. In his heart, he cursed Fan Jian who was covering his mouth and enjoying himself half to death. On the other hand, he bravely put on his official uniform.
When Liu Hu put on his official robe, he finally put the crotch-footed futou worn by the fourth-rank official on his head. The face with some vicissitudes of life and aging vividly portrays the image of a depressed official who spent half his life and worked hard to reach the fourth rank. If he didn't speak, others would think that this guy was just a darker, stronger fourth-grade civil servant.
Liu Hu's appearance shocked almost everyone present. They couldn't help but admire Fan Jian. That guy who looked out of place had such precise vision. It's just that there may be a hard battle waiting for them. Apart from the initial stunning glance, everyone is focusing on the surprises they may encounter next.
Huang Qiong saw Liu Hu who felt awkward all over after putting on his official uniform, but he nodded with satisfaction. Huang Qiong, who was just satisfied and whose thoughts were also focused on Hulao Pass at the foot of the mountain, didn't say much. But after Liu Hu finished changing his clothes, he rushed out immediately after saying "Let's go".
To the surprise of almost everyone, the customs fraud operation went smoothly. The captain guarding the west gate of Hulao Pass saw Liu Hu's official uniform and heard Fan Jian, who appeared as an aide, talking nonsense. Without saying a word, he opened and closed the door and welcomed Huang Qiong and his party into Hulao Pass. The first hurdle was successfully passed, which made everyone present breathe a sigh of relief.
But after entering Guanzhong, Huang Qiong, Captain Zhao, Wang Dalong, and Fan Jian all felt that something was wrong with the situation in Guanzhong. It was too quiet, this was the first thought that occurred to several people after entering Guanzhong. Even except for a few sergeants standing guard at the gate, there was no sign of an imminent war within the entire gate.
Seeing the scene in front of him, Huang Qiong felt a strong sense of uneasiness in his heart. When passing through Wengcheng, I consciously slowed down. Seeing the King of England slowing down, Fan Jian noticed that something was wrong. He carefully turned to his side and whispered: "Your Majesty, something is wrong."
"Whether that Chiang Kai-shek rebelled or not, Guan Guan should not be so peaceful right now. There are also too few defenders in Guan Guan. Even if they are concentrated to the east, the troops here are too weak. Just now Cai Jian made a rough count and found that the defenders on the west side, including the entire Wengcheng, were less than 300 people."
As soon as Fan Jian finished speaking, Captain Zhao on the side also spoke: "Your Majesty, Mr. Fan is not wrong. The current situation is indeed a bit strange. The general has been eating food in Hulao Pass for many years. Although the military attache of Hulao Pass is I can’t say that I know them all, but at least I should have a lot of acquaintances. But I just met a few of them, but they didn’t even say hello to any of them.”
"Even in these years, the distance has become a bit awkward. But our group is a superior after all. Even if he pretends, he should send at least one colleague to greet him. But now in Hulao Pass, there is not even a captain. Come out to greet us. Except for the few captains who were originally guarding the door, we haven’t seen even a captain until now.”
"I have noticed what you said. But now that we have come in, there is no way out except to fight. After a while, you will send a capable man with two hundred people and the fifty The horse archer is handed over to Wang Dalong and will stay here in the name of rest. Once there are changes in the pass, we must control this west gate."
"Others, after passing Wengcheng, speed up and rush to Dutong Yamen as quickly as possible. Capture the thief first and capture the king first. As long as you capture Jiang Dutong first, there will be room for change. Even if he has There is no place for any conspiracy. Remember, once you do something, don't take care of me, and you must do it cleanly."
"I don't believe it. The military pay of our dynasty is the highest in history. No matter how difficult the court's annual income is, it has never been in arrears with a single penny of military pay. The three thousand elites in Hulao Pass will risk their homes and annihilation. I can't get it. If there is any benefit, I will be willing to join him in causing chaos."
"Yes, I will do it according to the prince's arrangement. But prince, Dalong is from the frontier army and has the most experience on the battlefield. He is indeed the best candidate to stay and prepare to control Wengcheng. But if he stays here, your What should I do if my safety is in danger? Do you want to leave the city first?" Captain Zhao was still a little worried about Huang Qiong's safety and persuaded him again.
Regarding Captain Zhao's worries, Huang Qiong waved his hand and said, "Don't mention this matter anymore. I am now the commander-in-chief of the entire army. If I retreat without fighting at this time, what do you want these five hundred soldiers to think about it?" My king, how do you maintain the morale of the army? Do your own thing well and don’t worry about anything else."
"Also, I remember that before setting off, Commander Yudu deployed ten sharpshooters. You bring them all to my side and tell them who my whip is pointing at. Without any hesitation, in the shortest possible time, Within the time limit, shoot all the arrows you carry towards whoever you are carrying. As for the identity of the target, that is not something they should worry about."
"Your Majesty, you don't have to choose anyone else for this. The general's archery skills dare to be ranked second in the Xiaoqi camp, and absolutely no one dares to be the first. Prince, when the time comes, whoever you want the general to shoot can be selected with the finger of your riding whip. The general will ensure that wherever you point your arrow, the general will shoot his arrows."
When I saw Captain Zhao talking about archery, he looked proud and confident, and it didn't look like he was faking it at all. Huang Qiong, who was somewhat in a hurry and knew that he didn't have much time left for him, said without hesitation: "Okay, since you volunteered, it's you. However, I can't affect your command."
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, just wait for Qing." After Captain Zhao simply replied, he left Wang Dalong and two hundred cavalry behind the barbican. When he rushed back to Huang Qiong's side, he pulled out three arrows from the arrow pot on the side of the saddle with no trace of his hand and clasped it in his hand. He also quietly opened the button on the bow bag.
His actions did not escape Huang Qiong's eyes. Seeing this guy pull out three arrows at the same time, Huang Qiong knew that what this guy said before was definitely not bragging. And Huang Qiong also believes that anyone who dares to take this porcelain job at this time will definitely have diamonds.
Although the geographical location of Hulao Pass is important, it is a military pass after all. The entire Guancheng area is not very large, it is about the same as the county seat of a third-class county. However, because it is located on a major transportation road, the pass is in an abnormally prosperous state. This can be seen from the only main street in Guancheng, which is lined with brothels, restaurants, casinos, and inns on both sides.
Although on the streets now, except for a small number of patrolling soldiers, no one can be seen. But the prosperity of this Guancheng in the past can still be seen. The Hulao Pass Dutong Yamen is also located on this street. This Dutong Yamen is also the largest building in Hulao Pass. Not long after leaving Wengcheng, Huang Qiong saw this Dutong Yamen.
However, Huang Qiong and his party had just arrived at Dutong Yamen and had not had time to rush in. The gate of Dutong Yamen, which had been closed just now, suddenly opened, and a large number of soldiers poured out. Around the Dutong Yamen, a large number of soldiers also poured out of the shops that were originally closed. Even the roof of the shop was covered with archers. The sharp arrow on the bowstring was spread out in his hand, pointing directly at Huang Qiong and his party.
After Huang Qiong and his party were tightly surrounded, more than twenty war horses rushed out from the Dutong Yamen. One of them, who was wearing the uniform of a fourth-grade military attache, looked at Huang Qiong and his entourage who were already tightly surrounded. He cupped his hands and said, "I don't know that His Highness the King of England is approaching Hulao Pass. I am not able to welcome you from afar. I hope that Your Highness the King will forgive me." crime."
It's just that this guy said something polite, but there was no hint of respect in his tone. Huang Qiong and the others opposite him were all shocked after hearing what he said. Neither of them expected that the other party would know their whereabouts so thoroughly. Especially Fan Jian, whose face turned green and red after all his painstaking planning had come to nothing.
Huang Qiong, on the other hand, seemed a little free and easy when he saw that his whereabouts had been exposed. After whispering to Lieutenant Zhao to get ready, he walked up to the front of the formation with his horse and reins, slightly cupped his hands and said: "If you dare to speak to me like this, the person opposite you must be the commander of Hulao Pass, Mr. Jiang Xinjiang?"
Hearing Huang Qiong's rhetorical question, the fourth-grade military attache opposite laughed wildly and said: "It is said that although the King of England is young, he is extremely intelligent. Today, I saw that he has a sharp eye. He is not talented, and the final general is Hulao Guandu." Control Jiang Xin. Although the King of England has only been out of the palace for a short time, he is now famous all over the world. Today, His Royal Highness, the King of England, has taken great pains for Jiang."
"If it weren't for King Jing, after His Highness the King of England took office as the envoy to deal with Zhengzhou, he repeatedly reminded Jiang in several letters that although the King of England is young, he is extremely cunning and unpredictable by nature. I must be more careful. , so as not to be taken advantage of by the King of England. This time Jiang was almost there, otherwise he would really have fallen into the King of England's trap."
"However, although King Jing repeatedly reminded Jiang to pay more attention to the King of England, he also repeatedly told Jiang not to harm the King of England. Although my prince has never met the King of England, he has been a close friend of His Highness for a long time. This time I have specially ordered you to wait here to invite His Royal Highness to go to Zhengzhou for a reunion."
Maybe that's the nature, maybe there's something behind it. This Jiang Dutong was very arrogant, and his tone did not take Huang Qiong, the envoy of Zhengzhou, or the five hundred cavalry around him into consideration at all. That attitude is worse than telling Huang Qiong directly that you have to go whether you want to go or not to this invitation from King Jing.
Regarding the threat in this guy's tone, Huang Qiong just smiled lightly and said: "I would like to thank King Jing for his kindness. However, I was ordered by my father to be the envoy to Zhengzhou. I happen to be the same as King Jing. Opponent, it is not very convenient to meet at this time. Please give Jiang Dutong a chance to tell King Jing that if he can rein in the situation, I and he will still be brothers."
"If not, despite my reluctance, our brothers can only meet each other on the battlefield. But having said that, Jiang Dutong, don't open your mouth and shut up about my prince. Is Prince Jing the master behind you? I understand. I tell you that I don’t believe it at all. I would like to advise you now, no matter who the master behind you is, you are just a dog at best."
"So what if your master's rebellion succeeds? You are just a minister. And who can trust a traitor? If it fails, I don't need to tell you your outcome. Don't you? Your family should think about it. It’s still too late for you to repent now, and I can report to the emperor to save you from death. If you persist in your persistence, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
